Method and system for determining shifts in position

The invention relates to a method for determining shifts in position in at least two different spatial directions between a first element and a second element which are movable relative to each other, with at least two sensors which measure contactlessly and are spaced, in the at least two different spatial directions, from at least two standards which are fixed to the second element, sensor areas of the at least two sensors opposing the at least two standards in the respective spatial direction and sensing said standards, wherein: —the at least two sensors scan the at least two standards and generate, in interaction with the at least two standards, output signals with which in combination an absolute position of the second element is determined, said absolute position being associated with a linear movement in a further spatial direction or with a rotary movement, and—wherein the output signals of the at least two sensors are also used to determine values which characterise the distance between the respective sensor and the corresponding standard of the second element in the associated spatial direction, are corrected as a function of the determined absolute position of the second element, and from which the shift in position of the second element relative to the first element in the respective spatial direction is determined.